Show Notes Episode 11: The Joy of Connection – Cooking, Conversation, and Community with Mary from Happy Places and Co In this episode, we sit down with Mary, the heart behind Happy Places and Co and a cherished member of Little Life Stories, to explore how food, friendship, and meaningful conversation can bring people together. From her earliest memories in her grandmother’s kitchen to creating vibrant events that nurture connection, Mary shares her story of how a love of cooking and authentic relationships has shaped her life and work. We journey through: * Family foundations of cooking and creativity: Mary recalls her grandmother’s warm, joyful kitchen and her mother’s thrifty, inventive approach to meals. From decorating wedding cakes to stewed apples and toasted jam-and-apple sandwiches, Mary’s childhood was filled with hands-on learning, laughter, and the joy of sharing food. These early experiences shaped not only her love of cooking but also her appreciation for the simple happiness that comes from being around loved ones. * Life lessons from the table: Mary shares how learning to cook while navigating challenges like her mother’s MS diagnosis taught her resilience, problem-solving, and the importance of routine, care, and shared moments at the table. Cooking became a way to connect with her family and honor her roots, and it continues to be a way for her to carry forward the legacy of love and creativity she inherited. * Happy Places and Co: Inspired by a lifetime of positive food experiences and her work connecting people in community, Mary created Happy Places and Co. Her events bring people together over good food, engaging conversation, and shared experiences, emphasising the importance of social wellness, presence, and belonging. * Curating experiences that matter: From the Millionaires Walk in Sorrento to International Women’s Day and Mother’s Day celebrations, Mary carefully plans events that blend activity, conversation, and delicious food. Each gathering is designed to be inclusive, thoughtful, and supportive, helping people form authentic connections that extend beyond the event itself. * Friendship and listening: Mary reflects on the profound impact of her friendship with Cheryl, who taught her the art of genuine listening and the value of deep, meaningful relationships. Cheryl’s influence threads through Mary’s approach to community-building and connection. * The power of community: Mary shares stories from her events and supper clubs, highlighting how simple moments—walking together, sharing a meal, and engaging in guided conversations—can create bonds, spark laughter, and foster lifelong friendships. She emphasises that authentic connections are built through presence, shared stories, and the simple joy of being together. * Practical tips and inspiration: Mary offers insights on hosting, creating beautiful food experiences, and cultivating meaningful connections in your own life, reminding us that the simple act of sharing a meal can nurture the soul. Connect with Mary: * Website: Happy Places and Co * Instagram: @happyplacesandco ✨ Links and Extras * I have a brand new offering that I’ve put out just in time for Christmas! It’s called: Little Life Stories Starter Session. A warm, no-pressure way to dip your toes into life writing. You’ll get a cosy 30-minute chat with me on Zoom, a personalised follow-up email with reflections and a gentle prompt to get you started, plus full credit toward the Little Life Stories membership if you join later. Perfect if you’ve felt the nudge to write but want a simple, encouraging place to begin. Book your session, pop the kettle on, and let’s gently open the door to your story. Or gift to someone you know who would love some help writing their own life story. Grab it here. * If you’d like to start writing your own stories but feel a little overwhelmed, I’ve created a brand-new free guide to help you begin: Grab The Memory Cupboard guide here. * Join our Little Life Stories community newsletter for weekly prompts, gentle encouragement, and a space to start gathering your stories. You’ll also keep up to date with when the doors will open again to my Little Life Stories membership: Subscribe here. * I write, on Substack, a weekly newsletter, you can subscribe to that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter. It’s the space where I share stories (both mine and other people’s) and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote, Little Life Stories and the podcast. Oh, and of course, the Wild Wood folk too;) * If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join my snail mail exchange for women all over the world: The Lovely Letters Project * Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com * Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewrote If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Your reviews help more people discover the joy of storytelling and connection over a cuppa. Thanks for listening, and here’s to more sharing and connecting over stories. Kim x Music: Kim on the uke;) Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again! Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com
